The magic of prom night still lingered as Rowan woke up the next morning, the golden crown sitting on his desk like a surreal reminder of the incredible evening. He stretched, a satisfied smile on his face, recalling the way the universe-themed ballroom had sparkled around him, the way Oliver had laughed as they danced, and the warmth of the moment when he had been crowned Prom King.
But today was different. Today was moving day.
Downstairs, the house was buzzing with energy. Boxes were stacked neatly by the door, labeled carefully in Aria's neat handwriting. She had spent years building her collection of rare stones, and between that and the money made from her flourishing garden, they had been able to fund something truly special - a house built specifically for Rowan.
A big house.
Jake walked past, balancing a taped-up box marked Kitchen Essentials as he muttered, "Didn't realize we owned this much stuff."
Aria, sorting through a small crate of her gemstones, chuckled. "That's what happens when you build a life somewhere. You collect things, memories. But this is a fresh start, and I want Rowan to have everything he needs."
Rowan stood in the doorway, taking in the scene. "You guys didn't have to go this far. I mean, I loved the old house."
Aria smiled and set a sparkling amethyst back into its velvet case. "And we loved building that life together. But this is for your future, Rowan. We wanted to make sure you had everything you needed to keep growing."
Jake nodded. "Besides, you deserve it, kid. You've worked your tail off, and now you get a space that's entirely yours."
Rowan's heart pounded with anticipation as he followed his parents down the driveway to their new home. When he stepped out of the car, his breath hitched. The house stood proudly before him - sleek, modern, and huge. The large glass windows made everything feel open and full of light. The front entrance led into a spacious living room with polished wooden floors and stylish furniture that Aria had clearly handpicked.
"Whoa," Rowan whispered, taking it all in. "This is insane."
Aria beamed. "I knew you'd love it."
Jake chuckled. "Check out the kitchen. I think you'll be a little impressed."
Rowan stepped into the kitchen, his eyes widening. Stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and a state-of-the-art island with built-in touch screen controls made it look like something straight out of a cooking show. He ran his fingers along the smooth surface, shaking his head.
"Mom, this is better than a restaurant kitchen. You're gonna make me start cooking every night, aren't you?"
Aria grinned. "Consider it a challenge."
Rowan turned to Jake. "And let me guess, Dad, you had a say in the garage setup?"
Jake smirked. "Well, I might've added a few extra tools and a lift. Never hurts to have options."
Then Aria took Rowan's arm and led him toward the hallway. "But this," she said, excitement bubbling in her voice, "this is what I know you'll love most."
Rowan's breath caught as Aria pushed open a sleek glass door to reveal his own personal lab. His jaw dropped as he took in the room - spacious, with wall-to-wall shelving full of equipment, a pristine workbench, and in the center, the brand-new science machine that had been gifted to him by the Appaloosa Science Center.
"Holy - " Rowan couldn't even finish the sentence. He stepped forward, running a hand over the cutting-edge device. The control panel gleamed under the room's bright LED lights, and the sight of it made his heart race.
Jake clapped him on the shoulder. "Told you you'd like it."
Rowan turned back to his parents, shaking his head. "This is unreal. You guys really did this for me?"
Aria nodded, her eyes glistening. "You have so much potential, Rowan. We wanted you to have a place where you could explore, discover, and push your ideas even further."
He swallowed the lump in his throat, blinking back the overwhelming emotion. "I don't even know what to say."
Jake smirked. "You could say 'thank you.'"
Rowan let out a soft laugh and pulled both of them into a hug. "Thank you. Seriously. I'll make sure this place gets put to good use."
As the final boxes were placed inside and the house slowly came to life, Rowan found himself alone in his new lab, staring at the machine, reflecting on how much his life had changed in such a short time.
Prom had been unforgettable. The future felt wide open. But something still lingered at the back of his mind - his conversation with Oliver. His best friend had texted him earlier.
Oliver: "Yo, wake up yet, Prom King? Let's get food later. Need to talk."
Rowan smiled, shaking his head before typing back.
Rowan: "Already awake, barely. Food sounds good. What's up?"
Oliver: "I'll tell you when we meet. Just don't keep me waiting."
He frowned slightly, wondering what Oliver wanted to talk about so urgently. He hoped it wasn't something bad. He hoped it wasn't something that would change everything.
Curious but not worried, Rowan grabbed his jacket and headed out, ready to face whatever was coming next.
Little did he know, the conversation he was about to have with Oliver would shape the biggest decision of his life.